United States Marine Corps

1
United States Marine Corps Access Point Transit
Case
Portable Power Source
27 March 2002
2
Project Objective

• Conduct market research and design a portable
  solar-generated power source to support USMC
  asset tracking via an Automatic Identification
  Technology (AIT) system employing
  wireless access points.

3
Power Source Requirements

• Access point electrical requirements
• Determined voltage tolerance to be 20 VDC to 6
  VDC
  
• Validated power consumption at 3.2 watts
• Tested communication speed and signal
  strength throughout voltage tolerance range
  
• Evaluated 12 VDC battery as
  best choice based on power
  consumption and preferred
  battery life

4
Power Source Requirements (contd)

• Physical limitations
• Any equipment/materials added to system
  must fit within existing transit
  case
  
• Minimal modifications to transit
  case authorized if
  necessary

5
Market Survey

• Six solar panels researched/analyzed
• Only one panel (Uni-Solar UNI-PAC 10) met
  electrical requirements and physical limitations
  
• Uni-Solar panel does not contain built-in
  battery battery search initiated
  
• Many suitable batteries readily available
• Power-Sonic PS-1230 sealed
  lead acid battery meets
  size and
  power
  requirements

6
Costs and Schedule

• Non-recurring costs of 6,500 for documentation
  (operating/installation procedures)
  
• Recurring costs of 700 per transit case
  (inclusive of labor and material)
  
• Transit case modification
  time including parts
  procurement
  about 3 weeks

7
Conclusions

• Solar panel is rugged, weather proof, flexible
  and comes in a green camouflage color scheme
  
• Battery will operate a single access point for
  about 10 hours after recharging is complete
  
• Battery suitable for shipment via land, sea, or
  air
  
• Minimal transit case modifications required
• Low cost, readily available components

8
Point of Contact

• Systems Modernization Branch (Code 4.5.10.2)

Chuck OBrien DSN 995-6342 Phone 301-9
95-6342 Fax [phone] Email Obrien
CJ_at_navair.navy.mil